The grocery and household shopping sector in Ireland has recorded its slowest growth since 2022, according to the latest data from research group Kantar.
In the four weeks leading up to March 23, sales rose by just 3.4 per cent compared to the same period last year, reflecting a cooling in consumer spending.
One of the major factors driving this slowdown is a resurgence in grocery price inflation, which has climbed to 4.52 per cent. The increase in prices has made consumers more cautious, resulting in fewer shopping trips and lower spending than in previous years.
The timing of Easter is also playing a role in shifting consumer behaviour. With Easter falling in April this year instead of March as it did in 2024, shoppers appear to be holding off on seasonal purchases like Easter eggs.
Emer Healy, Business Development Director at Kantar, noted this delay, suggesting that the later holiday is causing people to put off indulging in festive treats.
Among the major retailers, Dunnes Stores posted the strongest performance with a 6 per cent year-on-year growth. It now holds a 24.4 per cent share of the grocery market and saw a sales increase of 1.9 per cent, which added €15.6 million to its total.
Tesco followed closely with a 23.2 per cent share of the market. SuperValu, although slightly behind in market share at 20.2 per cent, recorded the highest number of shopping trips by consumers, highlighting its popularity for frequent visits.
Meanwhile, Lidl and Aldi continue to maintain their foothold in the market, holding 13.5 per cent and 11.6 per cent, respectively.
